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snapcracklepoppies 's review for:
Written in the Stars
by Alexandria Bellefleur
This was better than I was expecting in some ways and less so in others. It’s cute, don’t get me wrong. And I desperately want more wlw stories that aren’t completely tragic. The fake dating trope is just… eh, for me. Especially when the two people fake dating are so obviously incompatible at first blush.
This wasn’t simple opposites attract, it felt like an uncrossable chasm that Elle was constantly trying to bridge while Darcy kicked the sticks away. Yes, they grow into a real relationship, yes Darcy begins to appreciate Elle’s quirks and passions, even begins sticking up for her. But it’s not until Darcy is completely heartbroken by Elle FINALLY demanding she meet her even halfway (and she can’t/won’t/doesn’t) that anything is realized/discussed/expressed. And that happens in the last hour and a half of the audiobook, which happens to be nearly 12 hours long. There was too much back and forth, too much denial, too much letting doubts simmer and fester on Elle’s end for me; I was also a little disappointed that after everything the story just ends with Darcy’s apology and declaration of love & Elle accepting it. There wasn’t even an epilogue of them attending Christmas together or how things work out later.
Things that were done well: pop culture references (minus the HP stuff, ick), astrology, realistic family dynamics, unique jobs for the characters, interesting back stories without being TOO tragic/depressing (realistic, not hyperbole), great narrator
Things that were better than expected: pansexual representation, bisexual representation, banter, intimacy, steamy scenes (not fade to black! What?! Loved it)
This wasn’t simple opposites attract, it felt like an uncrossable chasm that Elle was constantly trying to bridge while Darcy kicked the sticks away. Yes, they grow into a real relationship, yes Darcy begins to appreciate Elle’s quirks and passions, even begins sticking up for her. But it’s not until Darcy is completely heartbroken by Elle FINALLY demanding she meet her even halfway (and she can’t/won’t/doesn’t) that anything is realized/discussed/expressed. And that happens in the last hour and a half of the audiobook, which happens to be nearly 12 hours long. There was too much back and forth, too much denial, too much letting doubts simmer and fester on Elle’s end for me; I was also a little disappointed that after everything the story just ends with Darcy’s apology and declaration of love & Elle accepting it. There wasn’t even an epilogue of them attending Christmas together or how things work out later.
Things that were done well: pop culture references (minus the HP stuff, ick), astrology, realistic family dynamics, unique jobs for the characters, interesting back stories without being TOO tragic/depressing (realistic, not hyperbole), great narrator
Things that were better than expected: pansexual representation, bisexual representation, banter, intimacy, steamy scenes (not fade to black! What?! Loved it)